Russian fighter jet shot down in Syria's Idlib province.A Russian Sukhoi-25 fighter jet has been shot down in a rebel-held area in Syria's north-western province of Idlib.
The Russian defence ministry said the pilot had ejected into an area believed to be controlled by the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.
Although he survived the crash he was killed in a ground fight, Moscow said.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - formerly linked to al-Qaeda - sai...

Syria conflict: Air strike in Hama province cripples cave hospital.A hospital built under 20m (60 feet) of rock in a rebel-held part of central Syria has been wrecked by a powerful air strike, medical sources say.
They say the hospital in Hama province - regarded as one of the best protected in the country - was put out of service by Thursday's strike.
No casualties are reported but aid workers say it is the worst in a wave of attacks against hospitals in S...

Cancelled Israel Lorde gig sparks anti-boycott lawsuit.An Israeli advocacy group has launched a lawsuit against two New Zealanders for allegedly convincing pop singer Lorde to cancel a concert in Israel.
It is thought to be the first case filed under a 2011 Israeli law allowing civil lawsuits against anyone calling for a boycott of the country.
Critics say the law stifles expression.
The two defendants wrote an open letter to Lorde last month...

Putin says US sanctions list targets all Russians.Russian President Vladimir Putin says a list of officials and businessmen close to the Kremlin published by the US has in effect targeted all Russian people.
The list names 210 top Russians as part of a sanctions law aimed at punishing Moscow for meddling in the US election.
However, the US stressed those named were not subject to new sanctions.
Mr Putin said the list was an unfriendly ac...

Australia aims to become 'top 10' defence exporter.Australia has said it plans to become one of the world's top 10 defence industry exporters within a decade.
The nation currently sells about A$2bn (£1.15bn; $1.6bn) in defence equipment each year, making it the 20th largest arms exporter.
Manufacturers would now be offered government-backed loans to stimulate the industry, PM Malcolm Turnbull said.
Aid groups said the move would not help ...

Kabul attack: Taliban kill 95 with ambulance bomb in Afghan capital.A suicide bombing has killed at least 95 people and injured 158 others in the centre of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, officials say.
Attackers drove an ambulance laden with explosives past a police checkpoint in a secure zone, home to government offices and foreign embassies.
The target is believed to have been an interior ministry building, but many people were hit while walking by.
The ...

Turkey's Erdogan vows to fight Kurdish forces as far as Iraq.Turkey is prepared to take its fight against Kurdish forces in northern Syria as far east as Iraq, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.
Speaking in Ankara, Mr Erdogan reiterated that his forces will move against Kurdish-controlled Manbij, which risks confrontation with the US.
US troops are based in the city, which was taken from the Islamic State group (IS) by Kurdish-led forces in 2016...

Paris attacks: 'IS landlord' in first trial over 2015 killings.A man who lent his flat to two jihadists responsible for the Paris attacks has appeared in the first trial relating to the November 2015 assaults.
Jawad Bendaoud, 31, is charged with harbouring Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Chakib Akrouh following the killings.
He is famous in France for pleading his innocence on live television, saying he "didn't know they were terrorists".
The co-ordinated sui...

Thousands flee Turkish assault on Afrin enclave.An estimated 5,000 people have been displaced by clashes between Turkish-led forces and Kurdish fighters in north-western Syria, the UN says.
The civilians have fled communities near the border since Turkey launched an offensive to drive a Kurdish militia out of the Afrin region on Saturday.
Some are reported to have been prevented from crossing into territory controlled by the Syrian govern...

Pope Francis sorry for upsetting abuse victims.Pope Francis has apologised for remarks he made last week in Chile defending a bishop accused of covering up sexual abuse.
He said he realised his words hurt many, but repeated his belief that Chilean Bishop Juan Barros was innocent.
Francis was speaking to journalists on board a plane flying back to Rome.
Last week, he had said that victims who had accused Bishop Barros were committing s...